Michael Pineda Gets Wednesday Start For Yankees

The Sports Xchange

New York Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda will skip his next minor-league rehab start and instead take the mound for the Yankees on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles.

Esmil Rogers was initially tabbed to be New York's starter. Pineda has made two rehab starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and was scheduled for one more. However, the Yankees decided to get Pineda back in the rotation as they hope to remain in contention in the National League East. Baltimore leads the division.

Pineda, who is recovering from a strained lat muscle, has not pitched in the majors since April 23. He was suspended 10 games for using pine tar in a game against the Boston Red Sox and sustained the injury in a simulated game while waiting to be reinstated.

The Yankees placed Pineda on the disabled list on May 6.

Before the pine tar incident, Pineda went 2-2 with a 1.83 ERA in four starts. He allowed one earned run in 7 2/3 innings over two rehab starts.

In other news, the Yankees selected right-handed pitcher Chris Leroux to the 25-man roster from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

After Sunday's game against the Cleveland Indians, the Yankees optioned right-hander Bryan Mitchell to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Leroux, 30, has allowed five earned runs in two innings with New York this season.

Mitchell, 23, made his major-league debut Sunday against the Indians. He allowed no runs or hits while striking out two and walking one in two innings.